My produce sells at the lowest rate because it is all mixed. How does grading and packing help get more?
3 Answers
Grading separates produce by size, colour, ripeness and quality so buyers pay a premium for uniform top grade, while good packaging protects it in transit. Sort out damaged, diseased and undersized units, then group the rest into clear grades; buyers and mandis pay more for consistent lots than for mixed produce. Use clean, ventilated, right sized crates or boxes that prevent crushing and allow airflow, and label grade and weight. Even simple grading into two or three grades usually fetches a better average price than selling everything together at the lowest common rate. For eNAM and distant buyers, graded, well packed lots with quality assaying attract higher bids.
Once I started sorting my chillies into grades, the good lot sold much higher than my old mixed rate. Buyers trust a uniform lot. The extra sorting time pays back.
Ventilated crates instead of jute sacks reduced my spoilage and the produce looked fresh at the mandi, so I got better bids. Packing really affects the price you are offered.